*For a fee and additional processing fees, the Monroe County Industrial Development Authority submits the application for the organization.

**The Northampton Community College-Monroe Campus expansion also receives $2.2 million from the fund.

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Sixteen projects in Monroe County will receive a piece of a $6.1 million gaming revenue pie.

The biggest awards — two for $600,000 each — will help Vigon International complete more than a mile of a natural gas line extension to its Smithfield Township plant, and help Chestnuthill Township create the infrastructure needed for a new urgent care facility in Brodheadsville.

Officials at Vigon, the fragrance maker, said extending the line from Route 209 will reduce the company's energy costs at the manufacturing and distribution facilities on Airport Road East.

The Monroe County Industrial Development Agency, which handled the grant application for the line extension project and 13 other requests, said the total project cost is $646,235.

Bill Blake, Vigon's vice president of sales and strategy, said the company started talking about the project last summer.

He said if the project happens, it could make Vigon more competitive for project bids, which would free up money to hire more staff.

"That's a win for everyone," Blake said.

The Chestnuthill Township project will help pay for reconstruction of Lake Mineola Road and the construction of a new road about 350 feet long to provide access to the proposed West End Medical Home.

Pocono Medical Center plans to build and operate the first medical home and urgent care facility in the West End. It expects the project to create 20 new jobs.

Hospital officials declined to reveal what the construction costs are and when the facility is expected to open.

Coolbaugh Township will receive $511,699 to add a left-hand turn lane from Route 196 to the main gate at A Pocono Country Place. The turn lane is expected to "ease congestion and reduce accidents" in the area, according to a project description from the state.

Actually, the biggest award this year goes to Northampton Community College to expand its Monroe County campus in Tannersville. According to state figures, the project receives $2.2 million this year.

Pocono Township was the only Monroe County municipality to receive approval on two grant requests. It will receive $130,000 to make necessary repair work on Stadden Road Bridge off Route 611 and another $95,069 to buy three new police vehicles to replace ones with mileage between 87,000 and 141,000.

The Local Share Account was established as a community development program to help areas close to casinos.

One percent of the yearly gaming revenue at Mount Airy Casino Resort is dedicated to the program. Half of that amount goes to Monroe County projects, the other half is siphoned to projects in five continuous counties.

The contiguous counties received funding for 28 projects totaling $6.1 million. That includes $295,000 to Pike County for renovation costs at the county courthouse. The renovation will include a second courtroom, additional holding cells and upgrades to the sheriff's office.